是 (shi) — conceding a point — HSK 4

Q: How do you say “conceding a point” in Chinese with 是?

Use the structure: Adj. + 是 (shì) + Adj.， 但是 (dànshì)⋯⋯. For example: 这东西好是好，但是太贵了。 — “This thing is good, alright, but it’s too expensive”.

Adj. + 是 (shì) + Adj.，但是 (dànshì)⋯⋯

是 (shì) — conceding a point

HSK 4Complex Sentence Patterns

Adj. + 是 (shì) + Adj.，但是 (dànshì)⋯⋯

HSK 4Complex Sentence Patterns

是 (shì) — conceding a point

Rule structure

是 (shì) can be reduplicated with a verb or adjective to concede a point: "it is true that…, but…". It emphasizes the concession before a contrast.

Rule structure

是 (shì) can be reduplicated with a verb or adjective to concede a point: "it is true that…, but…". It emphasizes the concession before a contrast.

Examples

这东西好是好，但是太贵了。

Zhè dōngxi hǎo shì hǎo, dànshì tài guì le.

This thing is good, alright, but it’s too expensive.

这件衣服新是新但是太贵了。

Zhèjiàn yīfú xīn shì xīn dànshì Tàiguì le.

This piece of clothing is new, alright, but it’s too expensive.

这本书好是好可是太难了。

Zhè běnshū hǎo shì hǎo kěshì tài nán le.

This book is good, alright, but it’s too difficult.

Examples

这东西好是好，但是太贵了。

Zhè dōngxi hǎo shì hǎo, dànshì tài guì le.

This thing is good, alright, but it’s too expensive.

这件衣服新是新但是太贵了。

Zhèjiàn yīfú xīn shì xīn dànshì Tàiguì le.

This piece of clothing is new, alright, but it’s too expensive.

这本书好是好可是太难了。

Zhè běnshū hǎo shì hǎo kěshì tài nán le.

This book is good, alright, but it’s too difficult.

Practice

Build the sentence

Drag the characters to put them in the correct order

Characters

Words from this rule

是

shì

To be, yes

但是

dànshì

But...

这

zhè

This

东西

dōngxi

Thing, things, object

好

hǎo

Good, well

太

tài

Too, excessively

贵

guì

Expensive; precious, honorable

了

Particle (completed action or change of state)

件

jiàn

(classifier for things, clothing, events)

衣服

yīfu

Clothes, clothing

新

xīn

New

本

běn

Measure word for books and notebooks; root, origin

Frequently asked questions

How do you say “conceding a point” in Chinese with 是?

Use the structure: Adj. + 是 (shì) + Adj.，但是 (dànshì)⋯⋯. For example: 这东西好是好，但是太贵了。 — “This thing is good, alright, but it’s too expensive”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

这东西好是好，但是太贵了。 — “This thing is good, alright, but it’s too expensive”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 4.

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More HSK 4 grammar rules

一…, 就… — as soon as

一 (yī) + Verb 1, 就 (jiù) + Verb 2

一方面 — on one hand… on the other

一方面 (yì fāngmiàn)⋯⋯，一方面 (yì fāngmiàn)⋯⋯

全 — whole, entire

全 (quán) + Measure Word + Noun

到 — until (time/place/degree)

Verb + 到 (dào) + Time / Place / Degree

连 + verb — not even

连 (lián) + Verb + 都 (dōu) + 不 (bù) / 没 (méi) + Verb

原来 — it turns out, originally

Subj. + 原来 (yuánlái) + Predicate

得 — must, have to

Subj. + 得 (děi) + Verb Phrase

不管 — no matter

不管 (bùguǎn)⋯⋯，都 (dōu) / 也 (yě)⋯⋯